Collapsible seating enclosure



Jan. 27, 1970 w. E. REESE COLLAPSIBLE SEATING ENCLOSURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 20. 1968 William E. Reese INVENTOR.

Jan. 27, 1970 w. E. REESE G QIJLAPSIBLE SEATING ENCLOSURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 20, 1968 Fig.2

William E. Reese 1N VENTOR.

United States Patent 3,491,781 COLLAPSIBLE SEATING ENCLOSURE William E. Reese, 2590 Stewart Road, Lima, Ohio 45801 Filed May 20, 1968, Ser. No. 730,307 Int. Cl. A45f 1/00; E04b 1/347 US. Cl. 1355 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Horizontally disposed cover and base members are vertically displaceable from one another by means of a crossed collapsible supports that are mutually connected between the aforementioned members. A transparent plastic canopy is provided for rendering top and lateral protection from the elements of weather. Upon collapse of the support, the cover and base members become mating portions of a carrying case, the support means contained therewith.

I The present invention relates to the field of canopy structures and more particularly to a collapsible canopy enclosure.

The increasing popularity of spectator sports played in foul as well as fair weather requires the protection of spectators from the elements of weather. At the present time, spectators seek such protection by means of suitable garments such as ponchos or the like. However, utilization of such garments restrict the freedom of a spectators movement thereby decreasing from the enjoyment of a viewed sport. It is also prevalent for spectators to employ umbrellas while watching a game in periods of precipitation. However, this means of protection requires the tedious and tiring holding of an umbrella in its upright position. As will be appreciated, this certainly detracts from the enjoyment of a viewed spectacle.

The present invention includes a collapsible seating enclosure normally retained in a carrying case. When conditions warrant, the top and bottom portions of the carrying case are vertically displaced from one another and are retained in spaced parallel relation by means of collapsible support rods. The enclosure is formed by a plastic canopy which drapes between the top and bottom members of the carrying case. A lap cloth may be utilized to protect the spectators legs that protrude from the enclosure. The entire enclosure is compact, light in weight and offers the spectator complete freedom to enjoy the sport.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the present enclosure.

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the plane passing through section line 22 of FIGURE 1 illustrating a spectator enclosed within the present enclosure.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view illustrating a collapsible support means.

FIGURE 4 is a detailed partial sectional view of a spring loaded ball detent utilized in releasably locking the sections of a support rod.

FIGURE 5 is a partial sectional view of means for retaining a portion of a collapsible support means.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view illustrating the carrying case in which the collapsible support means are disposed.

FIGURE 7 is an alternate form of the means illustrated in FIGURE 5.

Referring specifically to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGURE 1, and is denoted by reference numeral 10. The seating enclosure so denoted rests upon a bench 12 when utilization thereof is desired, In the employed position shown in FIGURE 1, the enclosure is seen to include a hood or top member 14 and a base or bottom member 16 which define the vertical boundaries of the enclosure. It is noted that the aforementioned hood and base members 14 and 16 include short peripheral walls and form mating portions of a carrying case, as shown in FIGURE 6, upon collapse of support means as explained hereinafter. In the collapsed state, the carrying case includes a pair of locksets 18 on the opposite sides thereof that retain the carrying case in closed condition. Generally U-shaped mounting rings 20 are fixed to base member 16 at equally disposed distances on both sides of lockset 18. These rings facilitate securement of the open seating enclosure to bench 12 as seen in FIGURE 1 and explained in more detail hereinafter. A pivotable carrying and raising handle 22 is specifically mounted to a longitudinal side portion of hood member 14, on a side opposite that mounting the aforementioned rings 20. This handle provides means for ca'rryingthe case depicted in FIGURE 6 as well as providing means for vertically displacing hood member 14 from base member 16 when it is desired to open the case to form a seating enclosure.

Referring back to FIGURE 1, collapsible support means denoted by reference numeral 24 the hood and base members in spaced relation. FIGURE 3 illustrates the supporting means in more detail and is seen to include two telescoping rods arranged in spaced crossed relation, each rod having a first straight section 26 maintained in sliding concentric relation with a second straight section 28 r having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of section 26. Each of the aforementioned rod sections terminates outwardly in a right angle portion. One of the rods includes an offset bend 32 between each elongated straight section and the respective right angle portion. These offsets permit the telescoping rods to lie in compact overlying relation within the hood and base members of a closed carrying case, as shown in FIGURE 6. It is noted that the right angle portion 30 is substantially equal to the inner width dimension of hood and base members 14 and 16 so that a maximum of support is rendered thereby reducing jiggle to a minimum. Rod position locking means 34 of the spring loaded ball detent type, are disposed between associated support rod sections 26 and 28 of each rod. As will be appreciated, these locking means permit longitudinal adjustable engagement between associated sections. It is noted that the right angle portions of the supporting rods are pivotally retained by securing means as more fully explained hereinafter.

Referring once again to FIGURE 1, it is noted that a pad or cushion 36 is disposed within the base member 16 and is dimensioned in a manner permitting the retention of the seat pad 36 inwardly of supporting rods 24 when the latter are collapsed, Thus it will be appreciated that the supporting rods 24 and pads 36 are retained within the carrying case as shown in FIGURE 6.

A canopy 38 includes a front wall portion free from lateral attachment and is fabricated from the suitable transparent plastic material draped over hood member 14 so as to form lateral enclosure Walls between hood 14 and base member 16. Observe, that a rectangular opening 40 is formed below a lower edge of a front canopy wall so that a spectators legs may pass therethrough as seen in FIGURE 2. The canopy is secured to the bass member by means of suitable snap fasteners 39 mounted on the lower edges of the canopy side walls for connection with a respective portion of the base member. To facilitate the handling of the front canopy wall, suitable handle members 42 are positioned on the lower edge portion thereof. Further, this front portion includes apertures or viewing ports 44 formed therein.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the Seating enclosure 10 may be designed to accommodate two persons and two horizontally spaced apertures or viewing ports are adapted to be at eye level thus permitting each spectator an unobstructed view of a playing field. Of course, the enclosure and canopy construction can be adapted for one person.

Attention is directed to FIGURE 2 which shows a means securing the seat enclosure to a stadium bench 12. This means is seen to include two parallel spaced elastic lash cords 46 terminating at respective ends thereof in snap hooks 48 or the like, adapted for attachment to the aforementioned rings 20 on base member 16. The intermediate portion of each lash cord is disposed in underlying relation of the bench 12. Thus, when the enclosure is unoccupied, the lash cords provide means of securing the enclosure to the bench even in Windy weather.

Attention is directed to FIGURE 4 which illustrates the locking means 34 characterized by a spring loaded ball detent 50 of a conventional type that selectively permits or prevents sliding displacement of tubular member 26 within tubular member 28.

Referring once again to FIGURE 3, it is observed that the length of each right angle portion 30 of support rods 24 is pivotally secured to a correspondingly positioned hood or base member. This pivotal retention may be accomplished by two alternate means as shown in FIGURES 5 and 7. FIGURE 5 illustrates the employment of a plurality of integral tabs 53 protruding at approximately right angles, from each interior transverse edge portions of the hood and base members. These tabs are adapted to encircle a respective rod right angle portion to enable pivotal rotation thereof. The tabs shown in FIGURE 5 are contoured to permit the snapping insertion of respective right angle portions therein. FIGURE 7 illustrates an alternate construction utilizing a separate clamping member 54 suitable screwed or riveted to a vertical hood or base member portion. FIG- URE 7 illustrates a screw of rivet fastener 56 so employed and passing through an aperture 58 formed within the aforementioned member portion in a manner to secure clamp 54 in place. As will be appreciated, regardless of the pivotal retaining means used, a plurality of the same are used along the length of a right angle portion to increase the rigidity of the supporting rod structure.

Referring to FIGURE 2, a lap or leg cloth fabricated from a suitable waterproof material is employed to protect a spectators legs from precipitation and Wind. It is noted that the lower end of this cloth is generally positioned around the spectators ankle area While the upper edge thereof is passed through the front opening 40 the enclosure thereby affording the spectatora continuous protecting surface.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling Within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A portable enclosure frame comprising a cover member, a base member, said members having peripheral wall portions, telescoping support means for for retaining members in parallel, adjustable, spaced relation, and means cooperatively connecting said support means to said members for permitting overlying relation of said members about said support means upon inward telescoping thereof, seat means disposed within said base member and inwardly of said support means thereby permitting the collapse thereof around said seat means, pivotable handle means attached to said cover member for facilitating the vertical displacement thereof from the base member and for carrying the base and cover members when positioned in overlying relation to form a carrying case, and tab means connected to said base member for pivotally securing respective right angle portions of said support means.

2. The device set forth in claim 1 together with lash cord means attachable to said base member and adapted for encircling contact with a bench the latter supporting the base member of the enclosure.

3. The device set forth in claim 1 together with a water-proof leg cover adapted to protect the legs of a user sitting in said enclosure.

4. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein said telescoping support means are further characterized by two telescoping rods being crossed when disposed in an opened position, the ends of the rods having right angle portions for contacting transverse interior edges of the cover and base members to cause the cover and base members to open and close as the telescoping rods are opened and closed, respectively.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,886,047 5/1959 Healy -5 2,970,600 2/ 1961 Schultz 1365 3,052,251 9/1962 De Jean 1355 3,131,704 5/1964 Shimon 135-5 FOREIGN PATENTS 438,682 12/ 1967 Switzerland.

PETER M, CAUN, Primary Examiner 

